2007 Center Prospects
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The 2006 Draft class was light on depth at the center position. Only one post, Storm Dispersal selection
Tye'sha Fluker, went in the first round. Fluker also played the most minutes of any center, but averaged just over 10 per game in a reserve role. Mistie Williams contributed off the bench in Houston; that was about the extent of contributions from rookie centers.
2007 promises to be very different. It's considered likely that the Phoenix Mercury will take a center with the top overall pick, though whether that will be Ohio State's Jessica Davenport or Duke's Alison Bales remains in question. Both Davenport and Bales are likely top-four picks. A pair of Stanford players, Kristin Newlin and Brooke Smith, should also go in the top two rounds.
Storm Outlook: Having added two young centers (Fluker and 
Ashley Robinson) behind starter 
Janell Burse, the Storm won't likely look at centers in the first round, though one could be a possibility with the Storm's third-round pick.
| JESSICA DAVENPORT |
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WNBA.com profileThe measurements: 6-5
College: Ohio State
The skinny: Davenport has established herself as an elite WNBA prospect, which is why her name could be the first called by WNBA President Donna Orender on Wednesday. Davenport won Big Ten Player of the Year honors for her sophomore, junior and senior seasons, becoming the first ever three-time honoree. As a senior, Davenport averaged 20.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game, but her career ended in sadness as No. 13 seeded Marist knocked off Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, forcing Davenport into 11 turnovers. The only question mark is Davenport's quickness, and that has led observers to question whether she fits in Phoenix Coach Paul Westhead's up-tempo system. Nothing starts the break like a stop and a rebound, however, and Davenport could help the Mercury in that regard.
| ALISON BALES |
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WNBA.com profileThe measurements: 6-7
College: Duke
The skinny: Bales has come a long ways from her freshman year, when she played sparingly. By improving her skills and conditioning, Bales became an elite center who finished as the NCAA's third all-time leading shot-blocker, rejecting 434 shots - 151 as a senior, 4.4 per game and a staggering 6.1 per 40 minutes. On offense, Bales is incredibly skilled for her size, owning the ability to shoot or pass from the high post. She will be challenged to defend versatile centers on the perimeter at the WNBA level, but brings many skills to the table.
| BROOKE SMITH |
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WNBA.com profileThe measurements: 6-3
College: Stanford
The skinny: As soon as she is drafted tomorrow, Smith may become the WNBA's most skilled hook-shot artist. A polished post player with incredible footwork and a hook that comes from belt height all the way up to a high release, Smith started her career at Duke before transferring to Stanford and becoming a star. Smith was best as a junior, when she averaged 17.2 points on 57.6% shooting. As a senior, Smith had to share the block with precocious freshman Jayne Appel and saw her numbers take a hit. Smith may be a bit slight to defend centers in the WNBA, but her offensive skills will make her a pick in the first or early second round.
| KRISTEN NEWLIN |
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WNBA.com profileThe measurements: 6-5
College: Stanford
The skinny: The third member of Stanford's deep three-post rotation was Newlin, who has legit WNBA size at a solid 6-5. Newlin never put up big numbers in college, topping out at 8.3 points per game (as a junior) and 7.9 rebounds per game (as a senior), but she's got the size and skills to be a useful backup post in the WNBA. Newlin played the high post opposite Smith and developed her range, hitting 11 three-pointers as a senior.
| AMANDA BROWN |
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WNBA.com profileThe measurements: 6-4
College: Penn State
The skinny: Another post with good size, Brown averaged a double-double as a senior - 14.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while shooting 59.3% from the field. Brown's athleticism is a question mark against WNBA-caliber centers, but her size and skill make her a likely second-round pick.
| OTHER CENTER PROSPECTS |
Jazz Covington, Louisville - All-time leading Cardinals rebounder and second-leading scorer.Gillian Goring, North Carolina State - 6-7 prospect emerged as a key player as a senior.Lasma Jekabsone, Florida International - Latvian native is outstanding shot-blocker at 6-3.